Let's Get Dirty

By WritePassion

While the Axe family spent a week at Disney World recuperating from the destruction of their home and the near loss of their foster daughter Esperanza, the remains of their house were hauled away. All that was left was a foundation and the garage. Sam dropped the kids and the luggage off with Samuel and Maddie and drove the short distance to their property. He parked the car in the driveway. He and Yvette stood in the space between the garage and the foundation, their arms around each other's waists, staring at the backbone that once held their dreams.

"It's so depressing, Sam. Our house, and everything in it...all gone."

"It's okay, Eve. It's just stuff, you know that." He kissed her temple. "We've still got each other, and the kids. That's what's important."

"That's easy to say, coming from a guy who lived out of a duffel bag a good chunk of his life."

"It doesn't matter how many things you have, Eve. It's all the same."

"True, but it doesn't make me feel any better."

He held her close but didn't say anything else, because he knew there was nothing he could say to comfort her. The only cure would be to rebuild and restore their lives bit by bit.

As they stood there contemplating the scenario that destroyed their home and nearly cost Sam and his friends their lives, Mrs. Petersen tapped her way across the yard. She cut through but skirted the foundation as if giving respect to a deceased acquaintance. She wore a scowl, but not like the usual one when she was irritated at the noise the kids made in the back yard or the general family living that they experienced inside and out of the old house.

"Mrs. Petersen," Yvette said. "What is it?"

"I, eh, I wanted to say that I'm sorry about your home. Such a tragedy."

"At least nobody was hurt," Sam replied.

"Ya, this is true. I hope that you can rebuild?"

"Yes, we plan on rebuilding," Sam assured her, surprised at her reaction to their loss. "My friend Jack is working on the plans. Which reminds me Eve, he said he would stop by tonight so we could take a look at them."

"Just try to keep the racket down, Mr. Axe. I don't like my stories interrupted by all that hammering and sawing and drilling." She clasped her head with one hand. "That addition gave me such a headache! Oy!"

"Well, we'll try to keep it down, Mrs. P," Sam promised with a slight smile.

"Thank you." She turned to head back to her own house and stopped. "You two aren't so bad, even with the noise, and the explosions. Please, try not to blow anything up again..." She made a sour face, shook her head, and shuffled away leaning on her cane.

"That woman is a trip," Sam muttered.

"She's lonely. I think the only reason she comes over to complain is it gives her a chance to talk to somebody."

"Oh no, you're not going there again! You tried getting through to her when we moved in. Remember how well that went?"

Yvette shook her head. "I know, Sam. I'm sorry, I just can't help but think she needs a friend."

"We've got too much to do to make new friends. We've got a house to build!"

"Before we do that, we have a couple of kids to feed. I have to get back to your Dad's and Maddie's and get supper started."

"They're going to miss you when we finally move into our new house."

She laughed. "They'll just have to come over more often, like they used to."

"I'm going to go to the home schooling store, see if I can pick up those workbooks and things for Esperanza. We laid off for a week, but now it's time to crack the books." He kissed her lips. "I'll see you later, sweetheart."

"I'm sure she'll be glad to get back to her studies. See you by five, Sam?"

"I'll be there!"